Theater Reviews

Including this week's pick, Static and Highways Birthday Bash

Comments (0) By L.A. Weekly Theater Critics Wednesday, Aug 16 2006

Theatre Unlimited's Static

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GO A YANKEE TRADER Strong performances ground this first staging of Kato McNickle’s promising but sketchy drama about a man, his wife, and a season of storms. On the cusp of the New England Hurricane of 1938, hardscrabble pitchman Dillon (Mark Arnold) swaps his emotional security for his physical safety: He offers up the protection of his wife Katie (Heidi Mages) and children (Jaymee Bishop and Sterling Beaumon) to Katie’s wealthy childhood sweetheart (Sean Mahon) in exchange for a fast car and an escape route from an attempted murder charge. Though the men never set terms, Dillon’s pride makes him vow that he’s not entitled to reclaim his bride of 13 years unless he returns the car unscratched. This inexplicable fit of stubbornness unleashes a maelstrom of arguments and, though ridiculous, is par for the course in this curious world where ostensibly sane and intelligent characters refuse to act in their best interests, holding out for ill-chosen desires beyond reason. Equally odd is the theme of Dillon’s ghostly mother pressing him to “know who you are.” (The answer is clear that he’s a congenital thug who hides his black ancestry — probably an inadvertent linkage that still made me uncomfortable.) Yet for all these quibbles, the play is a worthwhile and well-staged exploration of the destructive power of ego, aspiration, and poverty. EL PORTAL FORUM THEATER, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., N. Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Sept. 10. (866) 811-4111. (Amy Nicholson)